No Food, No Water, No Work: Jharkhand Laborers Stranded in UAE

Fifteen migrant workers from Jharkhand are stranded in the UAE, facing extreme difficulties due to the lack of wages and basic necessities. The workers, who are from the districts of Hazaribagh, Giridih, and Dhanbad, are struggling to survive without food, water, or income. The company they worked for has not paid them for several weeks, leaving them unable to afford essentials. The landlord has threatened eviction due to unpaid rent. Charuman, one of the workers, said a company from Hyderabad sent them to the UAE for electrical work. These workers are appealing for help from the Indian government through social media, posting videos. They are seeking help to return home. The workers arrived in Abu Dhabi in 2024. The contractor had promised a monthly salary of approximately 1,700 Dirhams (around ₹40,000), but they have not been paid in three months. The contractor and the supervisor are not answering their calls or messages. The workers were given a very small amount of money by the contractor. Despite the challenges, the workers are open to continuing to seek employment abroad because the wages are better and they can save and send money home.